Stare Away - In Absence

Stare Away is the solo project of New York City musician Ben Nelson, crafting atmospheric soundscapes where every element serves a purpose. In Absence, his seven-track debut EP on à La Carte Records, emerges from layered synth textures and haunting melodies that refuse to fade. Drawing from post-punk and new wave traditions while remaining distinctly contemporary, the record channels the shadowed intensity of The Chameleons with a modern sensibility. The EP navigates shifting emotional terrain with precision—from the driving urgency of "Parting Ways" to the expansive atmosphere of "Familiar." Nelson's distinctive vocals cut through with an unsettling presence, creating a sense of isolation that lingers long after the final track ends. Restless, melancholic, and deeply immersive.